Social Question

Have you ever been an election day worker? What did you do?

I’ve worked both inside and outside the polls. I’ve ferried folks to the polls. I’ve handed out palm cards outside the polls. One year I did something inside. That was a year of long lines and I was stuck in there until the machines were all shut down and the counts were transferred to wherever they go.

I do it because I believe that who gets elected matters. I’ve worked in Iowa, New York, PA and probably some other places. Iowa was depressing since that was 1980 and Reagan won. I was shocked. I didn’t understand how he could win. My political innocence was lost that year. Turned me into a poll junkie ever since. I don’t want to be surprised by a result ever again.

6 Answers

I was a precinct captain in the 1976 election. I had to be there extra early to set it all up, made sure all the different steps were covered by the precinct workers, closed it at 8 o’clock and took the ballots down to the county clerk’s office. I got paid $12 for a 13 hour day.

I have worked several elections as a poll worker, once as an inspector. @zenvelo is right. You don’t get paid shit.
I also worked for a campaign, and handled phone calls at the campaign headquarters. For that, I don’t get paid.